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Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. This week, we welcome guest poster Becki Singer of Shopping's My Cardio.Sales of note for 10.10.24
- Nordstrom – Extra 25% off clearance (through 10/14); there's a lot from reader favorites like Boss, FARM Rio, Marc Fisher LTD, AGL, and more. Plus: free 2-day shipping, and cardmembers earn 6x points per dollar (3X the points on beauty).
- Ann Taylor – Extra 50% off sale (ends 10/12)
- Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything plus extra 25% off your $125+ purchase
- Boden – 10% off new styles with code; free shipping over $75
- Eloquii – Extra 50% off a lot of sale items, with code
- J.Crew – 40% off sitewide
- J.Crew Factory – 50% off entire site, plus extra 25% off orders $150+
- Lo & Sons – Fall Sale, up to 35% off
- M.M.LaFleur – Save 25% sitewide
- Neiman Marcus – Sale on sale, up to 85% off
- Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
- Talbots – 50% off 2+ markdowns
- Target – Circle week, deals on 1000s of items
- White House Black Market – Buy one, get one – 50% off full price styles
And some of our latest threadjacks here at Corporette (reader questions and commentary) — see more here!
Some of our latest threadjacks include:
- What to say to friends and family who threaten to not vote?
- What boots do you expect to wear this fall and winter?
- What beauty treatments do you do on a regular basis to look polished?
- Can I skip the annual family event my workplace holds, even if I'm a manager?
- What small steps can I take today to get myself a little more “together” and not feel so frazzled all of the time?
- The oldest daughter is America's social safety net — change my mind…
- What have you lost your taste for as you've aged?
- Tell me about your favorite adventure travels…
anon
lovely, although i’m not a fan of what it is paired with in this photo.
side note – since when did Tiffany & Co. make handbags?
AIMS
As of a few years ago. I think many of them are even reversible.
SAlit-a-gator
They also make eyeglass frames – weird, I know.
SF Bay Associate
Some of the frames are great, actually. I really like them, but they are (shocker!) spectacularly overpriced.
SAlit-a-gator
I agree. I was trying to say its a weird cross-over filed for a jewelry maker to branch into. I was eyeing some of their frames recently and they are indeed very nice and very pricey.
Diana Barry
I like this, but the boob pockets tend to make busty ladies even more boobalicious. :)
I noticed that Jcrew and Madewell have a LOT of orange this fall. I love orange!
Amelia Bedelia
That was my first thought — love, but cannot wear because of what the matching, high-placed pockets do to the girls!
Ruby
I think of Madewell as a brand for skinny hipsters. They probably aren’t worried about boob pockets.
ADL
I like this but I agree with @anon that the dressed down model look doesn’t really inspire me to stock up on these. I wish that the company had paired it a bit more upscale (such as w/ the suggested pencil skirt).
Ruby
I have this silk cowl-neck top from AT and I love it. It drapes beautifully (and as a busty lady, I think this is a better choice than a button front). They’re currently having a promotion and I’m trying to resist buying more:
http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/product/AT-Apparel/AT-Blouses-%26-Tops/Silk-Cowl-Neck-Top/258810?colorExplode=false&skuId=89385043&catid=cata000010&productPageType=search&defaultColor=2689
SAlit-a-gator
Lovely top. Thanks for sharing!
Little Lurker
Thanks a lot — there goes my shopping budget for the month.
;)
Mir
I ordered this top online in a couple colors when AT had a sale a few weeks ago. The colors and fabric were lovely, but unfortunately I had to send them back because they were very unflattering on me. I ordered a medium and a small, and both just kind of hung off my shoulders without much shape. I also thought the seam under the bust looked awkward, and the cowl didn’t hang right.
To be fair, *I* also don’t have much shape on top, so I don’t doubt that this blouse looks great on someone with a few more curves and better proportions. I’m 5’9, 32D, with broadish shoulders.
Blonde Lawyer
Love this top but what is with the weird line across the chest? On my double d’s that would probably hit mid nipple and look totally odd. Are the average sized boobs supposed to fit above the line?
Ruby
I wear a 34H and it hits nicely below my boobs in a size 14P. The seam there is where the waist nips in, which makes it drape more nicely IMO. In my experience AT is one of the best stores out there for DD+ women.
S
I’m a 36DD, size 14 and it is one of the most flattering tops I own. It falls below the chest, which makes the waist look tiny.
The cowl is perfect with my suits, too (not always easy since some get too big and you don’t know where to sort of stick “the flop”). I have it in cream and it’s not totally see-through either, like so many things done in lighter colors.
R in Boston
I saw someone wearing that in pink on the T this morning. Looked lovely on her. If that was another Boston corporette (black pants, got off at south station), well done you.
Bunkster
Heh. Not me. I got off at South Station, but I’m wearing olive trousers and a black v-neck.
R in Boston
I sometimes wonder how many of us walk through south station at the same time in the morning. Or park street, for that matter.
Fiona
I was in both South Station and Park Street this morning! But I was wearing jeans and an Arcteryx rain jacket (I changed in my office because it was pouring when I left home).
JLG
+1 for Park (red line)
TuckFail
Ladies, any advice on how to tuck in blousy shirts of this material (shells, button-downs, etc)? I always love them on the hanger, and then they sit in my closet for a year or two, work once or never, until I give up and give them away. I am pretty slender (size 2 or 4), but maybe it’s because proportionally, I’m pretty thick around the middle? I have no waist. Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated (and would serve to save a shirt or two headed to the give-away bin)!
anon
I feel your pain! FWIW, I’ve been told:
1) anything hip-length or shorter can usually worn untucked.
2) longer than hip length: if the hem curves downward at front and back – don’t know what the technical term is – it needs to be tucked. if it’s a flat, straight hem all around, it can probably be worn untucked.
3) if it still seems a bit too long, wearing high heels / creating a longer silhouette will also help even out the proportions so you can still wear it untucked.
4) you can also play with bottoms of different waist styles to see if that helps or gives you more options.
5) there’s also the skinny-belt-around-the-untucked-shirt option, but i personally have never been able to pull this off. it might help create more of a waist for you, though!
TuckFail
Thanks, anon! I have been trying to find a way around the “not tucking” since I think these shirts look so classy and stylish when tucked! But, your suggestions are good, and I’ll definitely give the skinny belt a whirl to see how it goes. Thanks.
Amelia Bedelia
I often get silk shirts re-hemmed so that the hem hits me at a place that allows the shirt to be untucked and look right (I am ridiculously short waisted). The tailor can make it a straight hem and cause the hem to hit me right at the upper hips. In a good quality shirt, this cost is worth it.
Ashley
I’m about your size, but I’m pretty long-waisted. However, I’ve actually found that blousy shirts paired with a high-waited pencil skirt and a wide belt looks really nice. The blouse+belt+slim bottom creates a waist. I’ve also done the blousy+skinny jeans (for weekend looks). Since the shirt is obviously loose, it seems like it’s more ok that there’s no waist definition. The slim/definition is in the legs (works especially well when paired with mid-calf boots)
a passion for fashion
I am basically the same proportions and I second everything anon says. I will add that somehting else you can try is a pair of higher waisted (I love trink turk, which you cna often find on sale) slacks, and a wide belt.
Ruby
I wear them with a pencil skirt and tuck them into the shorts I wear underneath. When I wear them with pants I just feel sort of stout. And if I don’t tuck them into my bike shorts, then they tend to create a weird line or lump.
Nonny
I do something similar, but tuck into my undies for security every time. Works especially well in the winter when I am wearing tights, because I end up with no line at all.
AIMS
Not sure if this will help, but what I do is I sort of fold the shirt/blouse back a bit at each side to tuck, zip up whatever goes on the bottom, and then give it a slight tug to creare a nice drapey effect. Not sure if that makes any sense. Perhaps there are youtube instructional videos that can explain the process better (I feel like there are youtube videos for everything nowadays).
Anon
Me too! I’m a size 2 but I really don’t have a waist except for the narrow part right under my rib cage. Belts and tucking just don’t work for me. I think I am the same width right to left as I am front to back around where my waist should be. Instead of an oval, my waist area is basically like a circle.
SAlit-a-gator
That striped sweater tied around the model’s hips is very distracting. Why would anyone style this beautiful blouse like that? At first I thought this was a BR or JCrew shirt due to the model’s disheveled hair and too hip for you look. Apparently this look is catching on.
Bunkster
I think Madewell is owned by JCrew, actually.
Kelly
Madewell is a division of JCrew, SALit. Nice eye!
Anon
I like the styling (I’ll be the lone voice in the wilderness on this). It doesn’t take that much creative thinking to imagine a silk blouse with dress pants or a dress skirt. I like having ways to wear my blouses on the weekend when I want to look dressy but not too dressy. To each her own!
Anonymous
Threadjack:
How do you ladies go through long work hours everyday while wearing contacts? I used to be able to do this until I had to stare at the computer for 10 hours+ a day. My eyes just couldn’t handle the dryness anymore so now I’m back to glasses.
Seattleite
Have you checked out lacrimal plugs? They are a tiny little (silicone?) plug that your optometrist inserts into the drainage duct of your eye. Done in an office visit, no sedation necessary. Made SUCH a difference for me.
Blonde Lawyer
After having a contact lense reaction for the same reason I wear my glasses about half of the time now. I also take out the contacts the second I get home, much to my husband’s dismay. I have to wear expensive special daily lenses now so I like to save them. If I have plans after work I wear glasses at least for the morning and put the lenses in sometime in the afternoon before going out. The only thing I haven’t gotten used to is working out in the morning with glasses on.
Lydia
I think the dryness of people’s eyes differ. My best friend has the same issue as you, but I have never encountered any issues even when working all night.
anon
I used to have very sensitive and watery eyes but after long term contact lense wear (2 years), my eyes are no longer as sensitive and moist. Do you use anything special when working all night?
Lydia
No. Nothing….just lucky I guess.
MelD
Is this a fairly sudden change? This happened to a friend of mine and she found out she was hypothyroid. I have terribly drying contact lenses and eventually my eyes will adapt to wearing them longer after not wearing them regularly for a while. I have solution at my desk and will take them out/in if they get too dry.
Anonymous
I started noticing the change after repeated long days in front of the computer. Even with 7 hours of sleep the night before, it’s irritating to put contacts on the next morning.
caesia
I was advised by my eye doctor to wear a pair of basic reading glasses over my contacts for computer work (from the drug store, not sure of the terminology but a power of 1, so pretty weak reading glasses). It really solved the problem for me and my contact prescription has stabilized as a result.
SF Bay Associate
Me too. I wore contacts maybe the first month at work, and then my optometrist said that the screens were drying out my eyes and would make my vision worse. Now I just wear nice glasses, which are much easier and healthier for my eyes.
LadyoftheLake
I got computer glasses from my optometrist this year to wear over my contacts while working at the computer. It has really helped with eye strain, headaches and dry eyes.
S
You also may want to switch brands. I switched from the type you change every two weeks to a daily. It took me a few different trials to find a brand in the dailies that didn’t start creating glare in the evenings. (I’m switching back to my tried-and-true two weekers when I have my next eye exam. I don’t care if they say there are newer things out there. They worked TONS better and were cheaper to boot!)
Anonymous
There’s a brand new hydro something something my dr told me about yesterday. He said the new hydrating lenses make a world of difference in comfort.
Anon
That’s funny — I very recently switched back to the two-week kind as well. Wore them for years but switched to monthlies about a year ago. Have grown to hate the monthlies. To me, the two-week ones are the perfect balance between comfort and durability. The monthlies felt much thicker which made them more durable but less comfortable.
Running Momma
I wear Night and Day lenses and keep my contacts in 24/7 for 30 days at a time…taking them out only a couple times a month to clean them. I’ve been wearing this brand for at least 7 years and have yet to have any eye trouble, infections, etc. from them. If my eyes do happen to get dry one day, I just take the contact out, rinse with solution and pop back in. Don’t know if this is attributable to the contacts or my eyes…
Valleygirl
I switched the solution I used (from the normal no rub stuff) to clear care (www dot clearcaresolution dot com) and it made a huge difference in my eyes. Since the contacts have to soak in it for at least six hours it normally means popping em out right when I get home – but big difference in keeping my eyes moist. It basically feels like you’re putting in a fresh pair of contacts each morning.
Samantha
I second the use of ClearCare. But also, if I’ve been at work over 10 hours I generally go switch out my contacts for glasses. Usually at that time, I’m probably working by myself anyway, so I don’t mind getting into my comfortable shoes/frumpy glasses etc.
M
How do you think this comares to AT’s button-down silk blouse?
http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/catalog/productDetails.jsp?prodId=266893&defaultColor=3026&productPageType=fullPriceProducts&colorExplode=false&skuId=90427916
I like the colors Madewell is offering, but does anyone know how the quality compares?
Supra
I just recently purchased this blouse (with a promotion and a $20 off coupon) and its gorgeous. The color is really rich and pretty and the buttons are well made (I’m a stickler for buttons). The material feels quite nice. Its a little less traditional since there’s no collar, but I really like it.
http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/catalog/productDetails.jsp?prodId=261879&gridSize=md&productPageType=fullPriceProducts&colorExplode=false&skuId=90287411&defaultColor=2011
AIMS
I am not a fan of AT quality, so take this with a grain of salt. But — the AT blouse is not 100% silk. Silk is not a fabric that requires spandex, imo. A silk blouse is not supposed to fit so tightly that spandex is necessary to achieve a better fit (like say with denim or even wool where 2-3% might be ok). Certainly 9% spandex seems unnecessary. I can’t necessarily speak to Madewell quality but, to me, the AT blouse looks a bit cheap. If you’re choosing between the two, I’d go Madewell. OR, check out the silk blouses at JCrew — Lucinda & Blythe, both $98, and Elodie at $110. I think Lucinda is particularly pretty!
MissJackson
I bought the Lucinda about a couple weeks ago in navy (a little weird that it doesn’t appear to be available in navy online). I haven’t worn it yet (it’s supposed to be a “reward” for a weightloss goal that I am this-close to achieving), but I LOVE it. The slight gathering at the shoulder seams is extremely flattering, and somehow manages to make my althletic shoulders look quite petite. The silk is amazing. If it ever goes on sale, I may pick up another because I’m pretty smitten with the “roasted chestnut” color.
CW
ooooo, the Lucinda blouse is now on my wish list!
Samantha
I purchased this blouse a couple of years ago in the rose color and it’s my go-to for important meetings to wear under a suit. By itself, it would look a little too lustrous for my office. Under a suit, it imparts the right amount of color and texture. The shirt has held up really well.
AK
I love the look of a silk blouse, but I hate dry cleaning (for several reasons: it ultimately destroys clothes, it’s bad for the environment, it’s expensive, etc. etc.). Any tips for the silk-phile but dry clean-averse?
govt atty
I wash all my silk with woolite, hang dry, and then steam it to get out wrinkles before wearing. Never had a problem.
Ruby
I do the same.
S in Chicago
Can you or anyone else recommend a good steamer for this purpose? I’ve been wanting to buy one and would really would like to try to do this so I can cut down on all the dry cleaning.
Herbie
I use the Jiffy J-2000 Residential (you can get it on Amazon for $150). Love it. Faster than ironing and doesn’t damage the material like an iron.
a lawyer
Second the Jiffy-best thing that ever happened to my wardrobe, my mornings trying to get to work on time, and my efforts not to be wrinkled!
I have the Jiffy-2000M–the other handle gets very hot. The metal one was recommended to me by an in-law who had tried both.
MelD
Wash on delicate then iron when wet to get out the wrinkles/prevent spotting that may happen from steaming.
ADL
Check out the Laundress – www dot thelaundress dot com – they have videos on cleaning conundrums and also offer their own cleaning products (totally worth the money for silk, cashmere, etc). I don’t use Woolite.
Always a NYer
PSA – In August, I ordered that Linea Pelle Dylan Fall Bag because of the review and discount I saw on Corporette. I was so excited when it came on Tuesday, that is until I opened it. The bag was finished very poorly – the stitching was uneven and the leather edges were frayed. Also, the bag arrived in only a dustbag, not in a box as well. Needless to say, it was returned yesterday with the return label it came with. When I called their customer service line they told me my credit card should be credited 8-10 days after they receive the bag. Hopefully I won’t have any trouble with that.
Just wanted to let you ladies know about my experience ordering from Linea Pelle as I appreciate reading your online order reviews.
Side note – The Aleyesa Laptop Bag the other day looked very nice and I’m wondering what your thoughts on it are. TIA!
anon
another fashion threadjack –
can someone offer guidelines about pairing dark tights with lighter colored shoes? (say, brown tights, maroon or camel shoes; navy tights and grey shoes). is this an absolute no? or a maybe, if ….
i’ve seen it done and it can look fine, but whenever i try it i feel like it just looks wrong. any thoughts appreciated.
Seattleite
That is one of my own particular fashion pet peeves. I’ve never seen it and thought anything other than ‘ugh.’ So sorry, no help.
Bonnie
I don’t like the look either. I think it really shortens the leg line.
Always a NYer
I love the look of black tights with any kind of pump color. I haven’t strayed into colored tights territory but I have paired black tights with black, camel, grey, and maroon pumps (all patent leather).
If you want to wear navy tights with grey shoes, rock it! As long as you’re exuding confidence and you feel good, no one will think twice about it.
Ruby
I think it looks ok if the shoe is a bright color and you’re clearly trying to highlight the shoe (e.g. navy tights, yellow shoes). I also think it’s ok if the tights are black and the shoes are a dark shade (e.g. black tights, plum shoes). I think it looks weird if the shoe is a light-colored neutral (e.g. brown tights, beige shoes).
Bridget
This is an excellent analysis. I don’t think I could have thought of that, but now that I see it written, I totally agree. Ruby, you have lots of very helpful comments today!
Ruby
Thanks :). Slow day at work.
anon
very helpful .. thanks ladies. a followup question then …
what color tights work well with tan/camel shoes?
conversely, what color shoes will work with brown tights?
thanks everyone.
Ruby
I think burgundy tights would look nice with camel shoes, even though that kind of violates the analysis I came up with above. Burgundy and camel are more or less equal on the light/dark scale, I think.
Little Lurker
Dear Lady On The Bus,
Sorry for staring. I was just in complete awe at your totally gorgeous makeup. I really wish I had skin your color (somewhere between cinnamon and chocolate) so I could also pull off that lavender eyeliner.
I know you weren’t going to work, but now I really want to know what you DO wear for formal occasions. Can you give me tips on what colors flatter ME?
Rock On,
LL
PS I kind of hate this top. Sorry, Becki.
weekend scullery maid
>This is also a gorgeous weekend look with denim.
I wish I had the glamorous, CLEAN lifestyle this statement implies – and it’s not just Becki; it’s in the usual ladymags as well. On weekends I do laundry, as the bleach splatter stains on my dark t-shirts can attest.
Ruby
Yeah, I have zero use for casual clothing that isn’t yoga pants. It’s a shame because I love some of the current denim styles, but the only jeans I have are two pairs I bought at Old Navy in 2004 as a student. (Yes, I wear them so rarely they haven’t worn out.) On the weekends I’m either exercising, doing laundry/cleaning, or doing something like church or a nice dinner that requires the same type of clothes I wear to work.
Cat
ha – me too, for the most part. It feels like such a waste to create MORE laundry/ironing for myself when the only person I’m seeing is the grocery bagger and quickie manicurist.
I’ve tried to make my weekend looks a little more festive by wearing too-wrinkly-for-work-but-still-clean button shirts/blouses over jeans for running errands on the weekend before putting them in the wash/drycleaning bag. Feels like a “free” wear :)
Cat
um, and husband, of course. Sorry, dear – hope you think I’m cute in yoga pants…
Ashley
I thought I was the only person with this problem!
There are so many gorgeous casual looks that I pass over because I don’t have enough places to wear them. It seems like a waste of money, you know? Or, I just want to be comfortable and not have to think about my clothes too much. I have a love/hate relationship with my weekend wear.
Alana
Yes, it wasn’t until I started my first office job after college that I realized that the clothes sold to women, whether at the mall, boutiques, or discount shops, is disporportional to many women’s lives. So much of the clothing for sale is casual or weekend wear, and some could be business casual depending. However, most women work, and many of them must wear work-appropriate wear- uniforms, blazers, dress shoes, etc. I miss living in an environment where I have more places to go in cute casual clothes.
Nonny
I also would never wear this on the weekend, despite the fact that I consider my weekend clothes to be far more fun than my work clothes. I have a whole collection of weekend skirts and dresses that take me far too long to rotate through (hence what I was saying yesterday about a shopping ban). But two things all my weekend clothes have in common: they don’t require ironing and I am happy doing housework in them. This, not so much.
Lynnet
Am I the only one who changes out of my work clothes the instant I get home, even if I’m going out later that night? I’d never actually pay that much money for something I was only going to wear casually, but I’m sure I’d wear it if it mysteriously appeared in my wardrobe.
Ruby
You must have a better social life than I do. I change out of my work clothes immediately when I get home and put on yoga pants or PJs. On the rare occasions I go out I guess I go straight from the office.
Cat
Ruby pretty much
summed up my weeknights; lawyers
are so glamorous.
Ashley
Agreed… the too-short-for-anywhere cotton shorts and spaghetti strap tanks should probably just live under my work clothes. Even if I’m “going out” (I use that term loosely, as most meet-ups really only require jeans and a t-shirt), I’m still in the shorts and tank tops. Jeans aren’t comfy enough for unwinding and watching TV :)
mamabear
I am usually too rushed to change clothes before I cook dinner for hungry kids and husband. I start as soon as I walk in the door .
(Not to be too retro, but I do all the cooking. Husband does a lot of the cleaning and all the laundry, so I’m not too oppressed.)
So I wear a big apron and hope for the best, then change after dinner STRAIGHT into pajama pants and a knit top.
I love my soft soft comfy Target pajama pants. They are the Gilligan O’Malley modal pants and I have at least seven in black.
a passion for fashion
this.
TK1
As soon as I come home I am in jeans and a t-shirt. I think jeans are more comfy than sweats and if I need to run out I feel less sloppy. I only wear sweats if I’m working out or cleaning with bleach (in fact I just swept my living room, including moving the couch, in jeans!) But it looks like we are the only two!
Always a NYer
What’s everyone wearing today? It’s dark and rainy here in upstate NY and hearing what colorful fashions everyone has on would really brighten this dreary day.
I’m wearing black slacks, black knit short-sleeved shirt, aubergine blazer, and black patent pumps with my usual jewelry and the faux black pearl double strand from the BR Mad Men collection.
Also Rainy in NYC
This is always my favorite threadjack of the day =)
Grey slim fit pants tucked into black knee high boots, Michael Kors animal print blouse in purple, gold earrings.
R in Boston
Navy blue pencil skirt (jcrew), cobalt blue dolman sleeve sweater left untucked, belted with a double strap brown belt. Brown pumps. I’m also wearing these earrings, http://www.tenthousandvillages.com/wirewrapped-ball-earrings , which get a ton of use in my rotation.
anon in SF
After a very foggy summer, it’s finally starting to warm up here in San Francisco. Today I’m wearing a printed DVF dress in purple/camel/navy (non-wrap style), congnac colored boots w/o tights, a navy cardigan and a long gold necklace.
This is always a beautiful time of year here, but I secretly hate the delay in breaking out my fall clothes.
Diana Barry
Also in Boston – Tulle fuchsia blazer, BR pink/white/purple floral top, Theory grey pants, Softwalk loafers, random pink pendant.
(And large LL Bean rain boots for the walk to/from!)
Kady
Soooo sick of the rain. Am afraid that this is a bad sign for the fall/winter ahead. Old black sweetheart neckline tank, BR herringbone skirt, coral sweater and skinny belt, black tights, black Canadienne (waterproof) boots.
Bunkster
In Boston, too. Yesterday my outfit was adorable. Today I succumbed to the rain. Old Navy olive-colored chinos. Black jersey long-sleeved v-neck top. Open-toed Aerosole sandals because my closed-toe shoes are still in the closet.
RL
Here in Central MA, I’m braving the rain in my favorite fuzzy moss-green sweater, taupe pants and necklace made of several different shades of amber. We’re lucky enough to have underground parking so I can wear my chocolate brown suede wedges with the snakeskin print on the heel part and not get them wet. :-)
AnoninNYC
Colboat blue cardigan, black pencil skirt, black crocodile pumps, diamond studs.
Rainy in DC
The Skirt in raspberry for some color, gray ruffle top, and a long black cardi with black pumps. This is my first time wearing The Skirt. Is anyone else disappointed with how much it wrinkles after sitting? I thought the heavy fabric wouldn’t wrinkle.
Kady
I have 3 of THE skirt and have never had any wrinkling problem (in fact, it is one of my favorite attributes of THE skirt) . Maybe you got the wrong size or a defective skirt?
academicsocialite
Black Merona leggings under the Target Rodarte collection reissue lace print dress; short sleeved black cardigan, and a wide-width black belt. Ann Taylor Perfect pumps in black. Long dangling silver faux-bois patterned earrings.
All in all, my attempt at summer to fall transitional dressing at a creative Brooklyn non-profit.
I always love this thread!
cbackson
Wish I could help, but I’m wearing a non-colorful gray pencil skirt, loose black cap-sleeve silk blouse, and dark purple ballet flats with a flower on the toe.
Little Lurker
how are things, cbackson? hope your week is more positively colorful than your clothing. ;)
cbackson
Aw, they’re good! I went on a second date for the first time…was nice to finally go out with someone that I liked enough to see again. Was ridiculous that I called EVERYONE I KNEW to tell them, haha.
Fashion Faux Pas
Black pants from motherhood maternity (cannot wait to retire them in a couple of weeks since they are the only pair of work pants I can wear right now and I despise the synthetic fabric and the belly panel is way too hot for summer is SoCal), white silk tank that is questionably appropriate for work, but I am sick of my office-appropriate maternity shirts (http://www.2chix.com/products/lux/maternity_white_fancy_silk_paper_bag_top.asp), cobalt blue cardigan, my favorite Louboutins (black patent, 4 inch heel, almond toe) to distract me from the fact that despise my pants and just wore on Tuesday, pearl studs, tiny diamond studs (I have two piercings), wedding and engagement rings.
KW
Just wanted to commisurate…I’m due next week and between it being the end of pregnancy and the end of summer I cannot wait to retire all these clothes and break out my fall gear. I’m looking foward to feeling like I have a whole new wardrobe of things I haven’t been able to wear in quite some time!
Fashion Faux Pas
Good luck!
MissJackson
Hunter green David Meister dress, brown blazer, brown riding boots, and my glasses because I couldn’t fathom putting my contacts in this morning.
Every time I wear this dress, I think “gosh, why don’t I own a closet full of David Meister?!?” and end up spending an hour searching for some sort of magical clearance sale that never exists.
b23
I LOVE DAVID MEISTER! His dresses are made just for me, I think. Except that I only own two. :) I likewise have spent tons of time searching for magical sales, and even searching eBay, but it never happens for me either.
Been There
You might try watchng the sales at Neiman marcus. I’ve picked up several David Meister dresses at 30% off.
MissJackson
Yep, that’s where this one came from, although I think it was one of those “lucky size” super clearances, and I paid somewhere in the $150 range. That’s definitely the source of most of my fruitless searches — my standards of what kind of “sale” I’m looking for are somewhat unreasonable!
There is one in this fall’s collection that I might just bite the bullet and pay full price for, though. Gorgeous!
Lana Lang
Semi-sunny here in London, after a disastrous two-time-tight-laddering day when lunch time was too cold for bare legs.
Black dress, tan belt, ivory shoes, pearls (doubled up).
I can’t help but wonder if some day someone will come into my office and go ‘hey, it’s you on Corporette!’
Nonny
Sunny and warm here.
Grey and yellow Anthro day.
I feel glamorous.
(Yes, I know this isn’t a Haiku Review, but I am now thinking in haiku format after yesterday’s fun.)
Ms. Basil E. Frankweiler
Yea, I can finally particpate. Oatmeal colored, elbow length cardigan (Ann Taylor Factory Store), teal colored tank with ruffles (ATFS), black knee-length pencil skirt (Torrid), black and grey tie Mary Janes (Sofft via Rack).
Question: I scored some awesome dresses at ATFS this weekend. Two have a high asymetrical (sp?) neckline. Would you ladies wear a necklace with something like that? If yes, what kind?
TIA.
Ruby
Not usually. I don’t like to spoil the neckline. Something opera length that doesn’t draw attention away from the neckline might work.
AT
With an interesting neckline, I usually try to go for larger/more interesting earrings, and a cuff or other bracelets, and/or a really large statement ring, and let the neckline stand on its own. If you really wanted to wear a necklace, I agree with Ruby that opera length is the way to go.
Anon Corporate Atty
SoCal business casual on a hot day…
The Halogen skirt in grey. Deep purple/magenta silk sleeveless top from Halogen tucked in. Skinny patent lilac belt. Nude for me pumps and cream Tory Burch bag. Pearl neclace, Lagos small hoops in gold/silver and matching bracelet with small Michelle watch.
CB
I work in a business casual environment. Today I’m wearing a grey pencil skirt with a hem flounce (not a ruffle) that I sewed myself. A black & white striped t-shirt with ruched sleeves, a black & turquoise argyle sweater vest & black oxford lace up pumps. And a sliver chain & diamond studs. And bare legs because it is unseasonably warm here today!
don't need a boyfriend
dove grey “the” halogen skirt, dark navy wool tank from BB (tucked in), glorious silk ombre grey/royal blue/black from a great big, open jacket at Chicos that i had the tailor make into a tailored jacket w 3/4 sleeves, ruffled neckline, and covered buttons & hoops closures. Worth the cost. silver collar w/ grey heart shaped mabe pearl pendant (Maui Divers), grey pearl hanging earrings (Nordies), silver watch/bracelet/wedding rings, and deep red “Sapphire” pumps from Isola.
Off to meetings, so black crock MC briefcase (too much silver bling now, need an alternative), red large east/west seat belt bag purse “satchel” they call it. I feel rocking!
Helped put a smile on the face even though all the smoke from the fires in Texas are drifting into Houston and the whole place is so smoky I’ve been wanting a s’mores all day.
Bonnie
For the first day back at work after vacay I wore a navy pinstripe suit and a magenta sweater with ruffles down the front. Wearing a suit was easier than figuring out what to wear after I overslept this morning.
mamabear
OH yay! These are usually on Fridays when I’m extra casual, which I hate but do anyway. ;)
voluminous silk shell in an abstract print – shades of plum, magenta and black – tucked in
black pencil skirt
black eileen fisher long cardigan
burgundy Fluevog pumps with interesting heel
silver bracelets
silver, carnelian and red pearl long necklace
pearl ring
Ruby
I’m looking for a motorcycle-style leather jacket. Any recommendations? I saw a Michael Kors one I didn’t buy at Nordstrom Rack and now I regret not buying it. I haven’t had much luck browsing online, although leather is something I prefer to buy in store if possible.
Anon
I bought the Michael Kors one last year from Nordstrom Rack and now the front, which has two layers of leather, droops because the two layers of leather don’t seem to have worn/stretched the same way. So you didn’t miss anything.
Amelia
Threadjack ladies–
I had an interview for an awesome job exactly 2 weeks ago. How do I keep from going insane wondering the result? She said I could call in a few weeks, but it’s a govt. job so the timeline is slower and I don’t want to be a pest. I sent a thankyou email the same day and a hand written note the next week when I had some time. Now I feel I have to wait before a phonecall. What to do?
Little Lurker
unhelpful advice: Start marathoning TV shows.
Ellie
Covered not long ago.
https://corporette.com/2011/03/24/dealing-with-anxiety-post-interview-or-otherwise/
Good luck!
Mary Ellen
Slight threadjack – what do you all think of the current trend to wear blouses/shirts NOT tucked in with suits? I see a LOT of young (20’s) women in my govt. law office who do this, and ask someone old enough to be their mother, I have to restrain myself from telling them to tuck their shirt in.
Am I just old fashioned? Is this an appropriate look for a law office where suits are considered standard dress?
AnoninNYC
Im in my early 20s and think that it’s a must to tuck in shirts with suits. Why bother wearing a suit for professionalism when you are distracting from the look with a shirt hanging out?
found a peanut
Here are my rules, which are based on nothing:
Collared, button-down shirts should always be tucked when worn with a suit.
If you are wearing a blouse, the blouse should be tucked if it’s longer than the jacket.
Otherwise, you can leave it untucked.
kng
although based on nothing, these are my rules too. I also have some silk looser-fitting tunic style blouses that (in my opinion) look great untucked with a pant suit (and also are very comfortable for days when i’m running around)
Cat
Biglaw here – yep, those are my rules too.
MissJackson
These are roughly my rules, too.
There are shirts that are made to be worn untucked, and there are shirts (or ensembles) that require tucking!
Herbie
My rules, too.
MelD
I am in my mid-30s and never tuck anything in unless the jacket is too short to work with an untucked shirt. I have a really long waist and my legs look stubby when I tuck in.
Diana Barry
Ditto.
CA Atty
I’ve been told I look like a butch lesbian when I tuck in pretty much anything, even button-down collared shirts. I don’t wear those too much though because my girls are so big I’ve never found a flattering one that doesn’t gape.
As an almost-30 attorney I almost never tuck, unless the shirt is really too long for the jacket and I can’t just do a scrunch to make it shorter or something similar.
Ruby
I think it depends on the jacket length. If the shirt is shorter than the jacket, it’s fine not to tuck. I never tuck with pants because it makes me look stout.
MOR
I’m 28, and I never tuck a shirt in unless it is longer than my jacket or it has a hemline that is designed to be tucked (i.e. curved in front and back – usually traditional button fronts, which I rarely wear).
Anon
I love that people are wearing suits to match their style, rather than suits wearing them. Yes there are times when one conform more, but just around the office? Nah.
I do tend to tuck, but I also have been known to wear my suits in ways that others would find too casual if its just around the office.
Bridget
I think it’s a “know your jacket” thing. I agree with the above posters that button-down shirts should always be tucked in with a suit or jacket. With most structured suit jackets or shrunken blazers, whether suit or not, a non-button-down top can be left untucked so long as it is shorter than the jacket. However, I do wear tunic-style tops longer than the jacket if the jacket is a short jacket (waist-length) and/or swing-style, often with an opera length necklace. I do this mostly with blazers and pants, but sometimes with a suit (although never to court or other occasions where business formal is required).
Those are my personal rules to maintain appearances based on what other women seem to require, but I have to say that I personally wouldn’t look askance at any woman who didn’t tuck her shirt in under her suit, no matter the circumstance. I don’t really understand why tucking in has to be the default rule, given that it is so unflattering on so many women (and looks *horrible* on me, so I totally understand).
Lyssa
I’m 31, and I agree that it’s mostly dependant on the length of the jacket verses the shirt length. Also, if the shirt has no shape at all, it’s probably better to tuck.
Oddly enough, a few months ago I was wearing a dark suit and a brightly colored button down. The shirt was slightly longer than the jacket and I thought that it looked better tucked, but I untucked it right before leaving work (I guess I used the bathroom or something, and didn’t bother re-tucking). When I got home, my husband immediently commented that I looked nice, specifically pointing to the bit of bright shirt peaking out under my jacket. So, I guess he’d differ on the tucking rules.
a passion for fashion
I have no rules. ive been known to do this (especially back in my 20s). i just go with what i think looks good. and sometimes that varies from day to day.
found a peanut
If anyone is looking for other silk blouse suggestions, I recently fell in love with an Equipment silk blouse. I think they retail for $200 so they are a little spendy, but there are a few on sale on the Bloomingdales website right now for about the same price as the one shown here (and less than the Madewell one if you use your bloomingdales card & get $25 off):
http://bit.ly/pTnmfF
Monday
Ugh. I love my mom and she is a great person with all good intentions, but I just had a phone conversation with her that has ruined a perfectly good morning and derailed an important workday. Does anyone have wisdom on achieving zen with one’s mother?
Grace
No advice, but that’s been my experience with my mom as of late. We used to be really close but all the tension has caused us to drift apart.
Just remember that we do not have to turn into them!
anon
oh, i definitely hear you. no advice except to remind you that everyone (almost everyone) has a mother who does the exact same thing, you’re not alone, and we all need to learn to ignore it or laugh it off.
some winners from my mother over the years:
“nowdays i hate going to my friends’ children’s weddings because it just reminds me that you’re not married and i don’t know when you will be.”
“the thing that worries me the most about dying is that you’ll be all alone because you have no one in your life!”
“I just found an IVF doctor for you. Because, you know, I’m pretty sure you’re going to need one eventually, at the rate you’re going.”
“stop eating that. you need to lose weight. no one but a mother will tell you.”
“i’m glad you’re getting good grades and all that, but what about your social life? are you meeting anybody?”
“i think you should meet X’s nephew Y. he just came to the US and i don’t think his English is great and he doesn’t have any friends really. And he’s a doctor.”
I could go on, but I should probably go back to work.
Anyway, hope that made you feel a bit better!
Monday
It did. :)
B
LOL!!! I adore your mom. She is a classic (but I understand that can wear thin).
Bunkster
Yikes.
Lucy
Ah, the non-English-speaking doctor whom you’ve never laid eyes on! With no friends! What a catch!
My mother tends toward long narratives about people who are a. dead and have been for 5+ years; b. unknown to me; c. utterly irrelevant to my life, or d. all of the above. Or some surprising combination of the above, like not dead, slightly known, but so far from being relevant that I can’t even begin to fathom WTF she is telling me this (to wit: stories about the sexual escapades of her drycleaner’s daughter, which resulted in a divorce several years ago and a new crop of children, and currently have caused a big custody battle. No, I’m not kidding.)
Hopefully I’ll remember this when my own daughter is an adult.
ML
Lucy, I love this. This is exactly how my mom is. She goes on ad nauseum about people I’ve never met, will never meet, and have likely never heard of. The best part is she starts each conversation like we just left off talking about that person. “Well Kathie and Tim are having a baby, but you know they’re not married yet, and because they work together,….blah blah.” I’m like, who are Kathie and Tim? Am I supposed to know these people? Oh, Kathie is your secretary (that I’ve never met’s) daughter and Tim is her boss? Right….because that’s interesting. :) Love moms!
Equity's Darling
Yes, my mother told me that I was ruining HER life by being single and not having children. Note that I’m currently 24. And I JUST graduated law school. And she said HER life, not my life.
My father, shortly thereafter, asked me “isn’t there anyone you can date at work?”. Right, because that always works out great *sarcasm*.
They drive me crazy.
Lilly
“Here’s a KitchenAid stand mixer with all the accessories. Most people get them as wedding gifts, but it looks like that’s not going to happen for you.” I was 35 years old. Huh. At least I got a great mixer out of it.
PollyD
Cash in on this: S!*t my Mom Says. I think it has potential
Nonny
Yes, well, a few years ago my aunt gave me my great-grandmother’s china that she (my aunt) had been saving to give to me for my wedding. I guess she gave up on me. It was totally depressing, but at least I got nice china.
E
I’ve also been given the heirloom china “early.”
Oh Dear
These are hilarious! I’ll add one from my dad, delivered to me when I was 31 and had been divorced for LESS THAN A YEAR:
“The problem with you, you and your sister [then 28] both of you, you are STILL single because you are too picky.”
Right. At the time, he was married to his third wife, whom he had met while still married to his second wife, whom he had met after he left my mother but before the divorce was final. He is now married to his fourth wife. And I’m too picky? Uh-huh.
Re: mothers, try reading Christine Lawson, “Understanding the Borderline Mother” to give yourself some perspective. It helped me a lot.
mamabear
Well, at least your Dad practices what he preaches. Clearly, he’s not too picky. :)
anooooon
for other information on “borderlines” there is the oldie-but-a-goodie
“I Hate You. Don’t Leave Me.”
SO ANON
during the most recent family vacation, my mother criticized my eating habits in public FOUR TIMES. and mentioned, for the zillionth time, that I should read the book Mindless Eating.
Mom, I’m actually really healthy. You’re the one who’s underweight. I love you, but please, please STFU.*
*cannot actually say this to my mom; she would implode and I would go to the Bad Place when I die.
SAlit-a-gator
If it makes you feel any better, my dad once told me I was obese. I was a size 10 at the time. He also recommended I eat only lettuce and grapefruit. I could go on, but you get the idea.
kz
and if it makes you feel better, when I go home, my mother likes to pinch my thighs and tell me I’m getting fat and make snarky comments on what I’m eating. I wear a size 4 in pants. she says “I only tell you this because I was skinnier than you at your age and now look at me.” (she’s a little heavy, but by no means morbidly obese like both her sisters and her mother)
SO ANON
I’ve calmed down about this, actually. Nice to hear that other ambitious women have tough mamas too. Guess they made us who we are today, eh?
Bridget
I only tolerate my mother when I tune her out. I call, and she chatters, and I ignore her and make mindless “mm-hmm” responses and just don’t engage the ridiculous things she starts on, changing the subject constantly. I just frame my response as “letting her be batty,” but not getting pulled in. Doesn’t always work — sometimes I can’t help myself when she gets too ridiculous — but this is the only strategy that ever works.
I feel sorry for my mother. Our interactions are now either disengaged (as per the above), or negative. I know I’m not the only one who handles her this way. I wonder if she is lonely as a result.
I’ve honestly been thinking about seeing a therapist to learn better techniques because I realize that, now that my husband and I are TTC, I feel so annoyed with and distant from my mother that I have no desire to tell her that we are TTC or to notify her when we become pregnant — as in, I would be happy just telling her we have a baby when it is born. :( I think that’s a sad commentary on the state of our relationship, as well as a negative indicator of what my relationship with my own children might devolve into …
Jen
While our relationship is not zen-like, I have found some bartered peace with her. We only talk on weekends, so that helps if the conversation gets to be too much. I keep a notebook of great lines to practice my comedy career, in case the scientist path doesn’t work out.
My mother has her own share of greatest lines:
After I described a first date: “Did you know that you can get a nice wedding dress at the Salvation Army?”
“You don’t need a BF to have kids. That’s what sperm banks are for.”
While everyone was gathered for my Ph.D. commencement, to my friends: “Is there another reason why Jen has everyone here? Is her BF going to ask her something?”
Jen
As for how I deal with her, a therapist suggested that I view her as an anthropology experiment. For me, she’s this person who is obsessed with marriage and babies. Her life is in a very different place than mine. So I ask questions and “investigate” where these beliefs come from.
I used to disengage like Bridget above, and that didn’t work for me. I would always get sucked in. I don’t know that this is better, but I am more sympathetic to her desire to see me happy by her definition. I try to make sure that she understands that I am happy by my definition.
Bridget
May I ask how you went about finding the right therapist to deal with this issue, and what kind of therapy it is? I’m at a complete loss about what to look for in seeking this type of help.
Jen
There, I don’t know if I’m much help. I went to the school counseling center to see someone because I was dealing with some stressful situations, including but not limited to dealing with my mom. It did take some time to find the right person. I needed someone who listened, who didn’t take sides, and who didn’t jump to the obvious conclusions. That he appealed to my scientific side by encouraging me to view this as an experiment sold me.
I don’t know what “type” of therapy you would call that. Sorry.
Seattleite
My therapist recommended the exact same thing, and it really helped. And to Bridget below – CBT, cognitive behaviorial therapy. It taught me how to reframe the way I thought about my life. Not in a “look at the positive and think happy thoughts” way, but in a “these are the assumptions I’m making, what happens if I challenge them?” way.
SO ANON
“Did you know that you can get a nice wedding dress at the Salvation Army?”
WONDERFUL. I am going to pull that out at appropriate moments.
[While everyone was gathered for my Ph.D. commencement, to my friends: “Is there another reason why Jen has everyone here? Is her BF going to ask her something?”]
When I mentioned to an Adult that my college BF was visiting me for the holiday weekend, he asked (in front of both of us), if the BF was going to bring the ring along with him.
Margaret
And my mom is the exact opposite — she married young and, although my parents’ marriage truly does seem happy, clearly has some regrets over her lost youth. When I got engaged at age 28 to my now-husband, she suggested that I “take back” my acceptance and spend some more time “just dating around” because I was so young. And not because she doesn’t like him; that has been her advice every time I speak with her about dating since I was 16. She’ll probably start trying to push an extra-marital affair next.
Ruby
“While everyone was gathered for my Ph.D. commencement, to my friends: “Is there another reason why Jen has everyone here? Is her BF going to ask her something?”’
Yowza. This makes my mom look almost cool.
Lyssa
No advice, but I’ve mentally written Corporette threadjacks for advice on dealing with my mom (who I both have nothing in common with, fear becoming, and who, if you told her the sky was blue, she would argue with you) so very, very many times. So I understand!
anon for this at 4:16
Lyssa, my mom does that too. If I say the sky is blue, she’ll say it’s overcast and actually grey. And will never, ever admit that she’s wrong. It’s always “you must have misheard me.” Argh.
And she wonders why she isn’t involved in the wedding planning at all.
anon for this
Since we’re sharing mom stories… I just got engaged. The ring is exactly what I wanted, but it is “nontraditional.” His mother is over the moon excited and is beyond eager to help in any way she can, but knows not to do anything unless requested i.e. she respects boundaries.
Meanwhile, my mother… I tell her we got engaged, and she immediately starts making suggestions about where to have the wedding, when, and which obscure relatives have to be invited. Given that we’re paying for the wedding ourselves and are very type-A organized, I tell her that we’ve already decided on all the details and let her know them, including that the wedding will be less than 50 people total. She keeps pushing her ideas anyway… despite the fact that we’ve already chosen and paid for what we want. Comments at every opportunity about how we’ll regret it if we don’t do X.
The engagement photos are also nontraditional (again, our preference), and she keeps tsk tsking that we didn’t take the usual poses, including a close-up of the ring. Now, I *love* my ring, but I’d much rather have pictures of oh, I don’t know, our faces. My mother just emailed demanding that I take a cell picture of the ring and send it to her immediately. Given that her response is going to be along the lines of “that’s an engagement ring?? Oh… how… nice” while calculating in her head how much money was spent on it versus any of her friends’ daughters’ rings, the likelihood of me sending that picture is worse than a snowball’s chance in h*ll.
If it’s not one thing, it’s my mother.
Nonny
Love your last line. I’m going to borrow it, I hope you don’t mind. :-)
anon for this
I have been through this with my mother in law. I know its annoying. I have been there. Luckily my mother was much more understanding. But if I can give you one bit of totally unsolicited advice from someone who is going through losing her mother — All of what you are talking about pales in comparrison to the feelings you will have when she is gone. Try to do what you can to make the best of the situation, and know that she loves you. If it takes giving in to her on some things, do it. let her invite a few more distant relatives, but explain that you need her to help pay. or let her pay for an extra engagement photo. or if its not about money, let her do something else that will make her feel a part of the planning. many moms live for this (I dont get it, but they do) and taking away the planning from her may be whats fueling things. bring her dress shopping. make a whole day of it. or a weekend if youre out of town. just do something to make her feel a part of things.
Former 3L
Aw, honey. I’m so sorry. Take care of yourself.
Herbie
Holy fudge, this thread is making me grateful for my own mother!!
On the other hand, my father could be many of the mothers I’m reading about here. I do my best to minimize contact with him and tune him out when I do have to interact with him.
Anon for this
Honestly, I think I’ve given up on mother zen. Or, rather, I’ve given up on having the relationship that many of my friends have with their mothers. Then again, my last contact with my mom was about two weeks ago when she demanded that I send her $50k or she would send some “friends” to collect it, and possibly my head as well. That didn’t help things.
In her case, mental illness is to blame. Sometimes it makes me sad that things have turned out this way. Most of the time I try to keep in mind what my grandma frequently tells me: “Keep on living your fabulous life.” I think the best thing is to let go of your expectations for a mother-daughter relationship, and just let it be what it will be. Infinitely easier said than done, though, especially when you see people who have the relationship you wish you had with your mom.
Bursting out
“Let go of your expectations for a mother-daughter relationship, and just let it be what it will be. Infinitely easier said than done, though, especially when you see people who have the relationship you wish you had with your mom.”
These are brilliant words! Something I’m working on constantly. Thanks for the insight.
kng
isnt this silk blouse nearly identical to this one in the jcrew clearance section (plus an additional 30% off)?
http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Navigation/Sale/AllProducts/PRDOVR~37871/99102293096/ENE~1+2+3+22+4294967294+20~~~20+17~90~~~~~~~/37871.jsp
i love a good silk blouse
Anonymous
Has anyone purchased/tried this on?
http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=22570550&catId=CLOTHES-DRESSES-PRINTED&pushId=CLOTHES-DRESSES-PRINTED&popId=CLOTHES-DRESSES&navCount=18&color=095&isProduct=true&fromCategoryPage=true&templateType=D
I’m looking for a long and sleeved dress for a wedding and this is one of the few I’ve found. Thoughts?
anon
Ooh, I like this dress – very unique and stylish. Have you looked at nordstrom, by the way? They have some nice sleeved dresses online.
Bridget
I’ll be honest — I do not like it at all. And I totally get how hard it is to find sleeved maxi dresses (I’m Muslim). But this print is not so pretty in my opinion. Have you looked at eshakti yet, or considered going the separates/bolero route? That’s what I usually do.
Nonny
I think if you are tall, this would be a great dress. I love the colours. As someone who is 5’4″, I would not touch it because the combination of big pattern and lots of fabric would totally overwhelm me. But kudos to you if you can wear it!
Valleygirl
you can custom order a dress from eshakti dot com and add sleeves – they also have some maxi long sleeved dresses. usually if you sign up first they’ll send you a 10% off coupon too.
Grace
Any advice on a calorie counting website/app? Also any recommendations on a good cleanse? I’m feeling a bit bogged down and would like to jump start a five pound weight loss. Thanks!
MissJackson
There are a lot of free calorie counting websites. I’ve used fitday.com before. It’s ridiculously annoying at first because the food database is massive and the search function has a lot of room for improvement. If you push through the first couple weeks of annoying, though, it gets a lot better. Once you find “boneless skinless chicken breast” (or whatever else) once, you don’t have to do it again. As a bonus, the site also tracks how your calorie consumption breaks down (protein, fat, carbs), and you can track anything else you want, too (for example, your iron or other vitamin/mineral intakes).
In terms of “cleanse” — eh, it depends on what you mean. I’m personally not a fan of any of the “eat nothing but this disgusting drink” variety because it seems like a tragically bad idea from a health perspective. On the other hand, I do recommend “clean” eating. You just focus on cutting out all of the processed food and stick to fruits, veggies, unprocessed whole grains, lean protein, and drinking lots of water. If you watch your sodium intake, eat clean, and drink lots of water you’ll get rid of that “bloated” feeling quickly and will probably see a good loss on the scale, too.
Good luck to you!
CW
I use myfooddiaryDOTcom for calorie counting. It’s $9/mo, and there are definitely free options out there (Sparkpeople, for one), but I like MFD’s tracking system.
Ruby
I use fitday dot com. I have tried sparkpeople, but it was so complex and had so much distracting crap going on. Fitday is really basic and easy to use.
Supra
I use the livestrong app on my phone (the free one). I like it because it seems to have a comprehensive database of restaurant foods, brands and grocery store prepared foods.
However, I use the mapmyrun app for tracking workouts because it lets you put in the exact time (whereas the livestrong app only goes by 5 minute increments) and the distance and calculates your pace. Running pace/time is very important to me, so I love this feature.
The food tracking app in the mapmyrun is not as good as the livestrong one, and it kind of stinks that they are not integrated.
I used to use fitday and I agree that the search feature is terrible at best.
Lynnet
I use myfitnesspal, which has a website and an iphone app that sync. I really like the search function/food database. I used to use sparkpeople and myfitnesspal is so much better.
Lobbyist
my fitness pal
Cleanse
To jump start a new way of eating (after a particularly horrid — foodwise — holiday season a couple years ago, I did the following. I loved it, felt so much better after doing it for three weeks, and it resulted in more energy, clearer skin, etc. Only downside: nails/hair that grow too quickly. Also made sure to exercise (cardio/strenth/stretching) three times/week.
* as much fruit as you want
* as many vegetables as you want
* as much lean protein (fish, chicken, eggs) as you want
* no other animal products
* moderate amounts of plant based fats (almond butter, olive oil, avocado)
* no dairy
* no grains
* no caffeine
* no alcohol
* no non-food (soda, chips, anything in a box etc.)
After two weeks, I added back in alcohol (for me, that’s wine). And I stayed that way for a year. Lost 17 pounds and went from a 6 to a 2. It has been 2 years now, and I mostly keep it up, losing control occasionally for cheese and bread and the rare piece of cake with icing.
mamabear
I have found the 17 Day Diet to be remarkably sensible and easy to follow. I like it better than South Beach (or god forbid, Atkins) because fruit is not only allowed, but required, and the protein focus is on lean protiens. Lastly, the diet changes every 17 days to keep it interesting & avoid plateaus.
I don’t weigh myself but lost a skirt size in the first 17 day cycle, and since then have continued to lose, but at a slower rate.
And I don’t feel hungry all the time.
GD
What’s everyone having for lunch? I brought my own spaghetti with porkchops. :)
LSC
Ooh! I like this better than what everyone is wearing :)
The office is ordering in some kind of mystery food for a lunch meeting. Tacos, I think.
nancy
I also like this better than what i’m wearing (i’m in-house at a tech center and boss is not in today so I’m wearing casual mono-chrom boring outfit)…
leftover homemade chicken/sausage gumbo.. .yummy stuff
Valleygirl
I’m doing a site visit in the sticks today so my options are subway or taco bell (gonna go with a chicken flatbread or salad from subway).
SO ANON
I’m working from home today, so I think I’m going to have pancakes.
(On the negative side, my productivity level this morning is less-than-or-equal-to zero.)
Lucy
bagel w. PB, fresh red peppers from my garden, and Greek yogurt. Also probably some tea later.
Nonny
Since it is still my morning and I didn’t bring lunch, I have some time to think about this. Currently trying to choose between a falafel wrap and katsu don. Hmmm.
Lynnet
Homemade split pea soup. It’s cold and rainy here, so soup is perfect.
Mir
Jealous. It’s rainy and warm here, but rain = soup as far as I’m concerned!
I had the same spinach salad I have almost every day (with some kind of nuts, craisins, and bleu cheese crumbles), and when I pulled it out of the fridge, all I wanted was some soup.
Margaret
I started weight watchers this weekend, so I had an uninspired turkey sandwich with *one* slice of swiss cheese on whole wheat toast. But, I also had a nectarine, so that was the saving grace of the meal. The nectarines are *so* good this year!
Ananon
I started doing WW that way but learned to get creative fast or my boring food wouldn’t satisfy. Try swapping in cajun or blackened turkey, and maybe munster or provolone – still the same WW points but it makes up for the lack of mayo.
Always a NYer
I like this threadjack =) I’m having pasta with peppers. I sauteed them in butter and then put them into the oven with chicken broth and soy sauce for 20 minutes. Served over shells with more soy sauce before I put it in the microwave. I make this is bulk and usually have it 2-3 times a week because I <3 it so much!
cbackson
I don’t think the cowboy-shirt-style front pockets work under a suit. I love western shirts (my family’s from TX), but it looks too casual for wearing with a suit jacket to me.
Anonymous
I think the best part of the constant barrage of 5th year reunion law school emails I’m getting is that it reminds me that, in many states, I can now be admitted on motion without having to sit for another bar :)
Ruby
And to the Supreme Court!
housecounsel
I feel better knowing that many of us are annoyed by our mothers. And although all of you made me feel better about mine (I wonder if Lucy is my secret sister), I must say that the friends-at-Ph.D.-commencement comment takes the trophy (that nobody wants!)
Bursting out
I hear you, Bridget. I didn’t tell my mom that we were TTC… or that we were also looking into adoption. Then, when I called her at 12 weeks, and after some very good test results, to tell her that I’m pregnant, which I announced with “I have some very, very good news,” she said…. get ready for it…. “at your age [over 40], are you sure that’s good news?” Duh, that’s why I waited until the end of the first trimester, and after the important tests. Sure there are more tests, and anything could happen, but could you be happy for me for ONE MOMENT, Mom???
If it’s not one thing, it’s your mother.
Bridget
:). Love your pun. That might be my new favorite phrase.
So sorry to hear, though, that your mother is not supportive. Congratulations on your pregnancy! Sounds like you’re doing wonderfully!
Oneanon
Oh. My. Goodness.
I think we have a winner.
Kelly
Congrats, Bursting Out!
SO ANON
Yeah, you win!
Congratulations, your prize is a virtual hug from all of us.
Bursting out
Aw, thanks all! I love my prize!
Like someone said above, I don’t know if we ever achieve zen, but we just start to put more distance between ourselves and the comments. As my brother pointed out when I told him what she said ‘she just can’t help herself.’ And I believe she literally can’t – she has no idea that she’s saying these crazy things (as I’m sure many other wacky mothers also don’t). Peace and clarity to us all.
Alana
Thanks for the reminder that I’m not alone. I happened to be on vacation visiting when receiving a phone call for a much-desired same-day interview, but my cell phone has bad reception, and I couldn’t figure out a good lie in enough time to get my father to leave the house (he has a strange work schedule) and prevent him from throwing a fit about the loss of family time so that I could use the land line in peace. Whenever anyone in our immediate family has something big, like a presentation, interview or exam, he often senses it and chooses to start a fight with that person or pick on that person, as his temperament is volcanic anyway. Surely enough, at the time of the scheduled phone interview, both parents called me. The morining of an interview a couple years ago, he called out of the blue. I decided to postpone it, and now there is only one opening; earlier there were 2.
It would be great if job searching advice included this sort of thing. It’s not just about resumes and wearing appropriate clothes. Unfortunately, for some of us, it’s ignoring and distancing ourselves from those closest to us who want to help, but are unaware that their “help” is often counterproductive, overbearing, and undermining. Those who are pushy seem to have difficulty realizing that eventually, they push people away and people stop sharing information with them b/c they can’t handle it, especially something pending, like trying to concieve or an upcoming job interview.
As an aside, I am SO grateful to have a sibling as a witness to the craziness.
SO ANON
Preach it, sistah.
Bursting out
ack… that was supposed to be a response to Bridget, above, and others sharing crazy mom-speak
don't need a boyfriend
Oh, did anyone else get the email from Nordstrom which is higlighting skirts? So happy that the feminine trend is continuing…even with the influence of the 70s and 80s … I “did” John Molloy’s “dress for success” with the poly gabardine three piece pant suits…no desire to go there again. Yeah for Nordie’s. When I was at my b&m store earlier this week, “the” skirt was in piles on a display table as well as a hanging rack…they must have buyers who figured out us Corporettes. Also some lovely suits there in the department, not to mention at the upper end departments and I just had to make myself leave. :)
don't need a boyfriend
Threadjack….jewelry consult needed. I just got this great necklace in tones of silver and one black strand from Nordies.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/nordstrom-multi-row-chain-necklace/3211834?origin=category&resultback=0
I am trying to think about what earrings would be appropriate. I envison the necklace over a shell, tank, or turtleneck of a solid color, with a patterned skirt or blazer (not both). Probably not with a traditional suit.
I have jawbone/chin length bob w/bangs and glasses…so most earrings aren’t “seen.” Usually I wear wide hoops from James Avery in silver…thoughts?
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/nordstrom-multi-row-chain-necklace/3211834?origin=category&resultback=0